The Standard DinerForget everything you know about typical diners. Add class, upscale furnishings and a larger price tag, and then you’ll have the Standard Diner. They have oysters, fine wines and homemade desserts, and some interesting twists on ordinary fare like meatloaf and mac and cheese. The service is doting, the view of our beloved Huning Highland is representative and if you need a restaurant to take your boss to, try kissing his rings while downing a nice glass of Port. It might make it a little easier. (Alibi Staff, August 11, 2010)

The Standard DinerForget everything you know about typical diners. Add class, upscale furnishings and a larger price tag, and then you’ll have the Standard Diner. They have oysters, fine wines and homemade desserts, and some interesting twists on ordinary fare like meatloaf and mac and cheese. The service is doting, the view of our beloved Huning Highland is representative and if you need a restaurant to take your boss to, try kissing his rings while downing a nice glass of Port. It might make it a little easier. (Alibi Staff, June 14, 2012)

Sushi KingSushi King is a small, hip, casual spot located a few doors up from the Century 14 Downtown movie theater. They serve fresh nigiri, sashimi and sushi rolls, plus an interesting assortment of seafood salads and noodle dishes. We love the variety and convenience this place offers when you’ve got a case of the Downtown ho-hums. They’ve also got excellent sake, so be sure to split a bottle with your sushi chef. (Alibi Staff, August 11, 2010)

Tucanos Brazillian GrillMeat, meat, meat. All-you-can-eat meat. And then there's the salad bar. This joint’s got more dead meat than you can shake a chunk of meat on a stick at. From the kill to the grill, Tucanos makes all your dreams come true. That is, if you dream about meaty hunks of marinated flesh sliced right at your table. This lively, busy and fun Brazilian-themed restaurant next to the Century 14 movie theater is open late. (Alibi Staff, August 11, 2010)

WeekdaysThis bright and colorful café caters primarily to Downtown office workers (Weekdays—get it?). We like that it has substantial salads and New Mexican fare to choose from that hit the spot. The selection of housemade baked goods is huge and very tempting. (Alibi Staff, August 11, 2010)

Saratori’s di TullyCombining his daughters’ names—Sara and Tori—Tully’s owner Johnny Camuglia came up with Saratori’s, then put to use a wealth of family Italian baking recipes. Limone farfalla (crumbly lemon bows), buccellati biscotto (rolled cookies filled with figs), buttery, shell-shaped sfogliatelle with hundreds of flaky ripples and an orange rind-and-ricotta cheese center, and albicocca biscotti (apricot-stuffed biscuits) are just some of the goodies to be found in Camuglia's cases. All are delicious. Closed Sundays and Mondays. (Alibi Staff, August 11, 2010)

Itsa Italian IceItsa Italian Ice is an old favorite for many Burqueños. Originally located on Lomas years ago, Itsa was—and is—for kids and grown-ups alike. Diners can choose from several fruity flavors like cantaloupe, lemon, cherry, watermelon, black raspberry, lime, grape or banana, as well as other flavors like chocolate or "blue moon" (cotton candy). Each tastes remarkably like the food it was named for, and the portion sizes are enormous. On the hot side, there are hamburgers, dogs, and a Philly cheese steak that’s tender and visibly marbled, made with steak that actually tastes like steak. (Alibi Staff, August 11, 2010)

Mary & Tito’sOne of the crown jewels of Albuquerque, Mary & Tito’s is the kind of place you’ll want to bring visitors so they can experience the wonder of chile. The red chile here is velvety smooth, sweet and hot, but not as hot as the fruity green. For a really bad hangover, you’ll need a turnover, a calzone-shaped stuffed sopaipilla that’s guaranteed to make a regular out of you. Go for lunch during the week and dinner on Friday and Saturday. Also, Mary & Tito’s finally takes credit cards!

Antiquity RestaurantIt’s a classy kind of joint, this Antiquity; tablecloths, waiters with bow ties and fancified French food (including seafood) that will push you toward ecstasy even as it drains your pocketbook. But it’s unmistakably Albuquerque too. For one thing it’s in an ancient Old Town hacienda, the kind with an uneven floor, two-foot-thick walls at every doorway and rooms that ramble back farther than you would ever guess from the outside. For another, the blue-jeaned may mix freely with the formally attired in that wonderful New Mexican way that so annoys the Easterners among us. (Alibi Staff, October 4, 2012)

Backstreet GrillIf you’re tired of the one-note mediocre New Mexican food that Old Town has become infamous for, look no further than this patio dining restaurant, pleasantly located beneath a spreading elm tree on the east side of Old Town. Fantastic hamburgers, Mexican pizzas and street tacos all await your jaded palate, and there’s plenty of local beer on tap to wash them down with. Finally, a new reason for locals to hit the plaza. (Alibi Staff, June 25, 2014)

Church Street CaféThis warm and welcoming café occupies one of the oldest houses in Albuquerque, and now you can even drink on its fabulous patio! Look for it behind the San Felipe de Neri Church and don’t miss out on the posole with your choice of red or green chile. The Navajo taco is delicioso! We won’t tell anyone if you wolf down a few sopaipillas drenched in honey.

Cocina AzulIn the old (and beautifully renovated) Sunshine Market building on Mountain and 12th Street, Cocina Azul has the feel of a high-end coffee shop. The food is textbook New Mexican—the huevos rancheros, carne adovada enchiladas and tamales with buttery, sweet red chile are all tasty. For dessert, big servings of flan have sturdy, pleasing flesh and fabulous flavor. (Alibi Staff, September 16, 2010)

Draft StationThis is Chama River’s beer-centric younger brother, and it’s poised to make an impact on the local pub scene. Naturally, plenty of Chama brews are on tap, but the lineup also features selections from other Albuquerque and Santa Fe breweries. Our favorite is the Scotia, a strong, sweet Scottish ale that’s perfect for sipping while you watch the Central traffic go by from the Draft Station’s patio. (Alibi Staff, August 27, 2014)